English lesson plan · Kindergarten (Reception and Year 1 in England) · 60 minutes
Count the sounds (phonemes) in a word
Phonics & Sight Words
CCSS RF.K.2.DCCSS RF.1.2.DEngland: Reception Phonics (segmenting)England: Y1 Phonics
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Count the sounds (phonemes) in a word.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Blending CVC words
Leads to: Two letters, one sound: sh, ch, th, ng; Ending blends: nd, nt, mp, st, ft, lt, nk; Soft c and soft g (city, giant)
Materials: Sound cards and picture cards, Magnetic letters, Mini whiteboards, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 6 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Blending CVC words). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Which vowel finishes the word? c _ t (clue: a pet that says meow) (a / e / i / o / u) → aPrompt: Think of the word from the clue and say it slowly.
- Change the first sound in "wag" to /b/. What new word do you make? → bagPrompt: Take away /w/. What is left?
- Which vowel finishes the word? h _ t (clue: you wear it on your head) (a / e / i / o / u) → aPrompt: Think of the word from the clue and say it slowly.
Hook · 6 min
- Hide picture cards in a bag and ask children to say the first sound of each one they pull out.
- Share the objective: Count the sounds (phonemes) in a word. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 12 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: How many sounds (phonemes) can you hear in "in"?
- Step 1: Sound buttons: i · n
- Step 2: So the answer is: 2
- Answer: 2
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 12 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- How many sounds (phonemes) can you hear in "hen"? → 3Prompt: Say the word very slowly, stretching it out like a rubber band.
- How many sounds (phonemes) can you hear in "shed"? Remember: two or three letters can work together to make ONE sound. → 3Prompt: Say the word very slowly, stretching it out like a rubber band.
You do: independent practice · 17 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 7 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- How many sounds (phonemes) can you hear in "nest"? Remember: two or three letters can work together to make ONE sound. → 4Prompt: Say the word very slowly, stretching it out like a rubber band.
- How many sounds (phonemes) can you hear in "path"? Remember: two or three letters can work together to make ONE sound. → 3Prompt: Say the word very slowly, stretching it out like a rubber band.
Watch out for
- Adding an extra "uh" to sounds ("buh" instead of a clean b).
- Reading the letters one by one but not blending them into a word.
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Blending CVC words.
- Use concrete materials: sound cards and picture cards.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Move on to: Two letters, one sound: sh, ch, th, ng; Ending blends: nd, nt, mp, st, ft, lt, nk; Soft c and soft g (city, giant).
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/kindergarten.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder